U.S. patent application number 14/019225 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for power connector assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Shin-I Huang, Yung-Hung Yang.
Application Number | 20140322947 14/019225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51789580 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140322947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Shin-I ; et
al. |
October 30, 2014 |
POWER CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A power connector assembly includes a first electrical connector
and a second electrical connector mating with the first electrical
connector. The first electrical connector includes a plurality of
first hollow tubes. Moreover, a plurality of first conducting
terminals are disposed within the first hollow tubes, selectively.
Each first conducting terminal has a flat contacting part. The
second electrical connector includes a plurality of second hollow
tubes corresponding to the first hollow tubes. Moreover, a
plurality of second conducting terminals are disposed within the
second hollow tubes, selectively. Each second conducting terminal
has a terminal-clamping part. When the first electrical connector
and the second electrical connector are combined together, the flat
contacting part of each first conducting terminal is clamped by the
terminal-clamping part of the corresponding second conducting
terminal, so that electrical connection between the first
electrical connector and the second electrical connector is
established.
Inventors: |
Huang; Shin-I; (Taoyuan
Hsien, TW) ; Yang; Yung-Hung; (Taoyuan Hsien,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC. |
Taoyuan Hsien |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
Taoyuan Hsien
TW
|
Family ID: |
51789580 |
Appl. No.: |
14/019225 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/113 20130101;
H01R 13/514 20130101; H01R 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/345 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/514 20060101
H01R013/514 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2013 |
TW |
102115182 |
Claims
1. A power connector assembly, comprising: a first electrical
connector comprising a plurality of first hollow tubes, wherein a
plurality of first conducting terminals are disposed within said
first hollow tubes, selectively, wherein each first conducting
terminal has a flat contacting part; and a second electrical
connector mating with said first electrical connector, and
comprising a plurality of second hollow tubes corresponding to said
first hollow tubes, wherein a plurality of second conducting
terminals are disposed within said second hollow tubes,
selectively, wherein each second conducting terminal has a
terminal-clamping part, wherein when said first electrical
connector and said second electrical connector are combined
together, said flat contacting part of each first conducting
terminal is clamped by said terminal-clamping part of said
corresponding second conducting terminal, so that electrical
connection between said first electrical connector and said second
electrical connector is established.
2. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
first electrical connector comprises six first hollow tubes and six
first conducting terminals, and said second electrical connector
comprises six second hollow tubes and six second conducting
terminals.
3. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
first electrical connector further comprises a plurality of first
wires, wherein each first wire is electrically connected with said
corresponding first conducting terminal, wherein each first
conducting terminal further comprises a first wire-clamping part
for clamping said corresponding first wire, and said first
wire-clamping part is connected with said flat contacting part.
4. The power connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein at
least two of said first wires are connected with each other in
parallel, so that at least two of said first conducting terminals
corresponding to said at least two parallel-connected first wires
are connected with each other in parallel.
5. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
second electrical connector further comprises a plurality of second
wires, wherein each second wire is electrically connected with said
corresponding second conducting terminal.
6. The power connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein each
second conducting terminal further comprises a second wire-clamping
part for clamping said corresponding second wire, and said second
wire-clamping part is connected with said terminal-clamping
part.
7. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
first electrical connector further comprises: a sheltering part for
sheltering a portion of said first hollow tube; and at least one
locking part is extended from said sheltering part, and said
locking part has a screwing hole.
8. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each
of said first hollow tube and said second hollow tube further
comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, wherein
said first coupling part of each first hollow tube is engaged with
said second coupling part of an adjacent first hollow tube, so that
said first hollow tubes are combined together, wherein said first
coupling part of each second hollow tube is engaged with said
second coupling part of an adjacent second hollow tube, so that
said second hollow tubes are combined together.
9. The power connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein said
first coupling part is a concave structure, and said second
coupling part is a convex structure.
10. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
terminal-clamping part of said second conducting terminal further
comprises: two elastic structures are located beside and contacted
with each other, wherein during said first electrical connector and
said second electrical connector are assembled with each other,
said two elastic structures are separated by said flat contacting
part and said flat contacting part is interposed into a space
between said two elastic structures, so that said flat contacting
part is clamped by said two elastic structures; and two sustaining
structures, wherein said two sustaining structures are located at
outer sides of said elastic structures and contacted with said two
elastic structures, respectively.
11. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each
second hollow tube further comprises a first main body and a second
main body, wherein said first main body is perpendicularly
protruded from an inner periphery of an end surface of said second
main body, and said first main body and said second main body are
in communication with each other.
12. The power connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein a
size and a shape of said first main body match a size and a shape
of a hollow structure of said first hollow tube, wherein when said
first electrical connector and said second electrical connector are
combined together, said first main body is accommodated within said
hollow structure of said first hollow tube, and a portion of said
end surface of said second main body of said second hollow tube is
contacted with said first hollow tube.
13. The power connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein an
outer surface of said first main body has at least one beveled
structure.
14. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
first electrical connector further comprises a first rib, and a
fixing recess is formed in an outer surface of said first hollow
tube corresponding to said first rib, wherein a portion of said
first rib is accommodated within said fixing recess.
15. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
second electrical connector further comprises an external casing
for covering said second hollow tubes.
16. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
first conducting terminal is shorter than said corresponding first
hollow tube, and said second conducting terminal is shorter than
said corresponding second hollow tube.
17. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein one
of said first conducting terminals is longer than the other first
conducting terminals and/or one of said second conducting terminals
is longer than the other second conducting terminals, wherein one
of said first conducting terminals and said corresponding second
conducting terminal are ground terminals.
18. The power connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a
tip of said first conducting terminal is separated from an entrance
of said first hollow tube by a safety distance.
19. A power connector assembly, comprising: a first electrical
connector comprising a plurality of first hollow tubes, wherein a
plurality of first conducting terminals are disposed within said
first hollow tubes, selectively, wherein each first conducting
terminal has a flat contacting part; a second electrical connector
mating with said first electrical connector, and comprising a
plurality of second hollow tubes corresponding to said first hollow
tubes, wherein a plurality of second conducting terminals are
disposed within said second hollow tubes, selectively, wherein each
second conducting terminal has a terminal-clamping part for
clamping said flat contacting part of said corresponding first
conducting terminal, so that electrical connection between said
first electrical connector and said second electrical connector is
established; and a plurality of first wires electrically connected
with said first conducting terminals, respectively, wherein at
least two of said first wires are connected with each other in
parallel, so that at least two of said first conducting terminals
corresponding to said at least two parallel-connected first wires
are connected with each other in parallel.
20. A power connector assembly, comprising: a first electrical
connector comprising a plurality of first hollow tubes, wherein a
plurality of first conducting terminals are disposed within said
first hollow tubes, selectively, wherein each first conducting
terminal has a flat contacting part; and a second electrical
connector mating with said first electrical connector, and
comprising a plurality of second hollow tubes corresponding to said
first hollow tubes, wherein a plurality of second conducting
terminals are disposed within said second hollow tubes,
selectively, wherein each second conducting terminal has a
terminal-clamping part for clamping said flat contacting part of
said corresponding first conducting terminal, so that electrical
connection between said first electrical connector and said second
electrical connector is established, wherein one of said first
conducting terminals and said corresponding second conducting
terminal are ground terminals, wherein said first conducting
terminal served as said ground terminal is longer than the other
first conducting terminals and/or said second conducting terminal
served as said ground terminal is longer than the other second
conducting terminals.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a power connector assembly,
and more particularly to a power connector assembly having a
reduced volume and having extensive applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recently, a power connector assembly has been widely used in
a power network, a power transmission system, a power distribution
system, a power supply system or an electrical device to be used as
an interface of power transmission and connection. For example, a
power supply system (e.g. a battery, a power supply or an
uninterruptible power supply) and an electrical device (e.g. an
industrial computer or a cloud data center) may be in communication
with each other through two electrical connectors in order to
achieve electrical connection and power transmission.
[0003] Conventionally, the power connector assembly comprises a
first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The
first electrical connector may be connected with an electrical
device through wires. The second electrical connector may be
connected with an uninterruptible power supply through wires.
Moreover, the first electrical connector comprises at most three
cylindrical conducting terminals, and the second electrical
connector comprises conducting terminals corresponding to the
cylindrical conducting terminals of the first electrical connector.
When the first electrical connector and the second electrical
connector are combined together, the conducting terminals of the
first electrical connector and the conducting terminals of the
second electrical connector are electrically connected with each
other. Consequently, electrical power can be transmitted through
the first electrical connector and the second electrical
connector.
[0004] With advancement of science and technology, many electrical
devices and many power supply systems are developed toward high
performance and miniaturization. In other words, it is important to
reduce the volumes of the power supply system and the electrical
device while increasing the capability of transmitting a higher
current between the power supply system and the electrical device.
However, since the conducting terminals of the first electrical
connector of the conventional power connector assembly are
cylindrical, the volume of the first electrical connector is
larger, and it is difficult to minimize the conventional power
connector assembly. Moreover, in case that the conventional power
connector assembly is applied to the power supply system and the
electrical device requiring higher electrical power, the conducting
terminals of the first electrical connector and the conducting
terminals of the second electrical connector should withstand a
higher current. For complying with safety regulations, the
conducting terminals of the first electrical connector and the
conducting terminals of the second electrical connector should be
made of the material that is capable of withstanding the higher
current. Since this material is costly, the fabricating cost of the
conventional power connector assembly is increased. Moreover, since
each of the first electrical connector and the second electrical
connector of the conventional power connector assembly has at most
three conducting terminals, the conventional power connector
assembly can only be applied to specified kinds of power supply
systems and specified kinds of electrical devices. In other words,
the applications of the conventional power connector assembly are
restricted.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved power
connector assembly in order to eliminate the above drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a power connector assembly.
The power connector assembly comprises a first electrical connector
with plural first conducting terminals and a second electrical
connector with plural second conducting terminals. The first
conducting terminal has a flat contacting part. The second
conducting terminal has a terminal-clamping part. The flat
contacting part is clamped by the terminal-clamping part, so that
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is established. Moreover, at least
two first wires are connected with each other in parallel, so that
the at least two first conducting terminals that are electrically
connected with the parallel-connected first wires are connected
with each other in parallel. Consequently, when compared with the
conventional power connector assembly, the power connector assembly
of the present invention has reduced volume. Moreover, the first
conducting terminals and the second conducting terminals may be
made of the cost-effective material that is capable of withstanding
the lower current while complying with safety regulations. Since
the power connector assembly of the present invention can be
applied to the power supply system or the electrical device that
requires higher electrical power, the applications of the power
connector assembly are more extensive.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a power connector assembly. The power connector
assembly includes a first electrical connector and a second
electrical connector mating with the first electrical connector.
The first electrical connector includes a plurality of first hollow
tubes. Moreover, a plurality of first conducting terminals are
disposed within the first hollow tubes, selectively. Each first
conducting terminal has a flat contacting part. The second
electrical connector includes a plurality of second hollow tubes
corresponding to the first hollow tubes. Moreover, a plurality of
second conducting terminals are disposed within the second hollow
tubes, selectively. Each second conducting terminal has a
terminal-clamping part. When the first electrical connector and the
second electrical connector are combined together, the flat
contacting part of each first conducting terminal is clamped by the
terminal-clamping part of the corresponding second conducting
terminal, so that electrical connection between the first
electrical connector and the second electrical connector is
established.
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a power connector assembly. The power connector
assembly includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical
connector mating with the first electrical connector, and a
plurality of first wires. The first electrical connector includes a
plurality of first hollow tubes. Moreover, a plurality of first
conducting terminals are disposed within the first hollow tubes,
selectively. Each first conducting terminal has a flat contacting
part. The second electrical connector includes a plurality of
second hollow tubes corresponding to the first hollow tubes.
Moreover, a plurality of second conducting terminals are disposed
within the second hollow tubes, selectively. Each second conducting
terminal has a terminal-clamping part for clamping the flat
contacting part of the corresponding first conducting terminal, so
that electrical connection between the first electrical connector
and the second electrical connector is established. The plural
first wires are electrically connected with the first conducting
terminals, respectively. Moreover, at least two of the first wires
are connected with each other in parallel, so that at least two of
the first conducting terminals corresponding to the at least two
parallel-connected first wires are connected with each other in
parallel.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a power connector assembly. The power connector
assembly includes a first electrical connector and a second
electrical connector mating with the first electrical connector.
The first electrical connector includes a plurality of first hollow
tubes. Moreover, a plurality of first conducting terminals are
disposed within the first hollow tubes, selectively. Each first
conducting terminal has a flat contacting part. The second
electrical connector includes a plurality of second hollow tubes
corresponding to the first hollow tubes. Moreover, a plurality of
second conducting terminals are disposed within the second hollow
tubes, selectively. Each second conducting terminal has a
terminal-clamping part for clamping the flat contacting part of the
corresponding first conducting terminal, so that electrical
connection between the first electrical connector and the second
electrical connector is established. Moreover, one of the first
conducting terminals and the corresponding second conducting
terminal are ground terminals. The first conducting terminal served
as the ground terminal is longer than the other first conducting
terminals and/or the second conducting terminal served as the
ground terminal is longer than the other second conducting
terminals.
[0010] The above contents of the present invention will become more
readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after
reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a power
connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
first electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
1 and taken along a specified viewpoint;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
inner structure of the first electrical connector of the power
connector assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
second electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
1 and taken along a specified viewpoint;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
inner structure of the second electrical connector of the power
connector assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the
first electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to
be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments
of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration
and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be
limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a power
connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the power connector assembly 1
comprises a first electrical connector 2 and a second electrical
connector 3, which mate with each other. The first electrical
connector 2 may be electrically connected with an electrical device
(not shown) such as an industrial computer or a cloud data center.
The second electrical connector 3 may be electrically connected
with a power supply system (not shown) such as a battery, a power
supply or an uninterruptible power supply. After the first
electrical connector 2 and the second electrical connector 3 are
combined together, the power supply system and the electrical
device are electrically connected with each other through the power
connector assembly 1. It is noted that the devices to be
electrically connected with each other through the first electrical
connector 2 and the second electrical connector 3 are not
restricted. That is, the devices to be electrically connected with
each other through the first electrical connector 2 and the second
electrical connector 3 may be varied according to the practical
requirements. For example, in some other embodiments, the first
electrical connector 2 is electrically connected with a power
supply system, and the second electrical connector 3 is
electrically connected with an electrical device. In the following
embodiments, the present invention will be illustrated by referring
to the power connector assembly 1 including the first electrical
connector 2 and the second electrical connector 3, wherein the
first electrical connector 2 is electrically connected with an
electrical device and the second electrical connector 3 is
electrically connected with a power supply system.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
first electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
1 and taken along a specified viewpoint. FIG. 3 is a schematic
perspective view illustrating the inner structure of the first
electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG. 1. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first electrical connector 2 comprises
plural first hollow tubes 20. The plural first hollow tubes 20 are
arranged side by side. Moreover, the plural first hollow tubes 20
are made of an insulating material. Moreover, plural first
conducting terminals 21 are disposed within the corresponding first
hollow tubes 20, selectively. The first conducting terminal 21 is
made of a conductive material such as a metallic material.
Moreover, each first conducting terminal 21 has a flat contacting
part 210. The flat contacting part 210 has an elongated strip-like
structure.
[0020] In this embodiment, the first electrical connector 2 further
comprises plural first wires 8 corresponding to the plural first
conducting terminals 21, respectively. Moreover, each first
conducting terminal 21 further comprises a first wire-clamping part
211. The plural first wires 8 may be connected with the electrical
device for transmitting electrical energy. The first wire-clamping
part 211 is connected with a corresponding flat contacting part 210
in order to clamp the corresponding first wire 8. Consequently, the
flat contacting part 210, the corresponding first wire-clamping
part 211 and the corresponding first wire 8 are electrically
connected with each other.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
second electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
1 and taken along a specified viewpoint. FIG. 5 is a schematic
perspective view illustrating the inner structure of the second
electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG. 1.
Please refer to FIGS. 1-5. The second electrical connector 3
comprises plural second hollow tubes 30 corresponding to the plural
first hollow tubes 20. The plural second hollow tubes 30 are
arranged side by side. Moreover, the plural second hollow tubes 30
are made of an insulating material. Moreover, plural second
conducting terminals 31 are disposed within the corresponding
second hollow tubes 30, selectively. The second conducting terminal
31 is made of a conductive material such as a metallic material.
Moreover, each second conducting terminal 31 has a
terminal-clamping part 310. When the first electrical connector 2
and the second electrical connector 3 are combined together, the
flat contacting part 210 of each first conducting terminal 21 is
clamped by the terminal-clamping part 310 of the corresponding
second conducting terminal 31. Consequently, the electrical
connection between the first electrical connector 2 and the second
electrical connector 3 is established.
[0022] As previously described, since the conducting terminals of
the first electrical connector of the conventional power connector
assembly are cylindrical, the volume of the first electrical
connector is larger. In other words, it is difficult to minimize
the conventional power connector assembly. Since the flat
contacting part 210 of the first conducting terminal 21 and the
terminal-clamping part 310 of the second conducting terminal 31 are
smaller, the power connector assembly 1 of the present invention
can meet the miniaturization requirement. Moreover, since the
plural first conducting terminals 21 of the first electrical
connector 2 and the plural second conducting terminals 31 of the
second electrical connector 3 are respectively disposed within
corresponding first hollow tubes 20 and corresponding second hollow
tubes 30, the plural first conducting terminals 21 and the plural
second conducting terminals 31 are isolated from each other by the
first hollow tubes 20 and the second hollow tubes 30. Under this
circumstance, the creepage distance between the plural first
conducting terminals 21 and the creepage distance between the
plural second conducting terminals 31 will be increased, and the
safety of the power connector assembly 1 will be enhanced.
[0023] In this embodiment, the second electrical connector 3
further comprises plural second wires 9 corresponding to the plural
second conducting terminals 31, respectively. Moreover, each second
conducting terminal 31 further comprises a second wire-clamping
part 311. The plural second wires 9 may be connected with the power
supply system for transmitting electrical energy. The second
wire-clamping part 311 is connected with a corresponding
terminal-clamping part 310 in order to clamp the corresponding
second wire 9. Consequently, the terminal-clamping part 310, the
corresponding second wire-clamping part 311 and the corresponding
second wire 9 are electrically connected with each other.
[0024] Moreover, the first conducting terminal 21 may be shorter
than the first hollow tube 20, and the second conducting terminal
31 may be shorter than the second hollow tube 30. Consequently, the
first conducting terminal 21 and the second conducting terminal 31
are protected by the first hollow tube 20 and the second hollow
tube 30, respectively.
[0025] Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 again. In some other
embodiments, the first electrical connector 2 further comprises a
sheltering part 22 for sheltering a portion of the plural first
hollow tube 20 and the plural first wires 8. The sheltering part 22
is produced by a plastic molding process. Moreover, the sheltering
part 22 is made of an insulating material. The sheltering part 22
may fix the plural first hollow tubes 20. Since the sheltering part
22 may be handheld, the sheltering part 22 may facilitate the user
to operate the first electrical connector 2. Moreover, since the
sheltering part 22 is made of the insulating material, the safety
of the first electrical connector 2 is enhanced. Moreover, at least
one locking part 220 is extended from the sheltering part 22. The
locking part 220 has a screwing hole 221. After the first
electrical connector 2 and the second electrical connector 3 are
combined together, a screw (not shown) may be penetrated through
the screwing hole 221 and tightened into a corresponding screwing
hole (not shown) of the power supply system that is connected with
the second electrical connector 3. Consequently, the first
electrical connector 2 is fixed on the power supply system.
[0026] Please refer to FIG. 1 again. In some other embodiments, the
outlets 81 of at least two first wires 8 are connected with each
other in parallel, and connected to a contact point (not shown) of
the electrical device. Moreover, the outlets 81 of the
parallel-connected first wires 8 are connected with each other
through solder paste 7. Consequently, the at least two first
conducting terminals 21 that are electrically connected with the
parallel-connected first wires 8 are connected with each other in
parallel. Moreover, a current may be transmitted to the contact
point of the electrical device through the parallel-connected first
conducting terminals 21 and the parallel-connected first wires 8.
Since at least two first conducting terminals 21 may be connected
with each other in parallel, the contact point of the electrical
device can receive a higher current while each first conducting
terminal 21 is able to withstand a lower current. Under this
circumstance, the first conducting terminal 21 is cost-effective,
and the fabricating cost of the power connector assembly 1 is
reduced. For example, it is assumed that a current of 50 amperes
needs to be transmitted to the contact point of the electrical
device. If none of the first conducting terminals 21 are connected
with each other in parallel, each first conducting terminal should
withstand the current of 50 amperes. On the other hand, if two
first conducting terminals 21 are connected with each other in
parallel, each first conducting terminal 21 should withstand the
current of only 25 amperes. Since each first conducting terminal 21
may be made of the material with a lower withstand current, the
fabricating cost of the power connector assembly 1 is reduced.
Moreover, if each first conducting terminal 21 is able to withstand
a current of 50 amperes, the contact point of the electrical device
can receive a current of 100 amperes through the two
parallel-connected first conducting terminals 21. On the other
hand, since none of the conducting terminals of the first
electrical connector of the conventional power connector assembly
are connected with each other in parallel, the contact point of the
electrical device can receive a current of 50 amperes through the
corresponding conducting terminal. In other words, the power
connector assembly 1 of the present invention can be applied to the
power supply system or the electrical device that requires higher
electrical power. Consequently, the applications of the power
connector assembly 1 are more extensive.
[0027] It is preferred that the first electrical connector 2 has
six first conducting terminals 21 and the second electrical
connector 3 has six second conducting terminals 31 (see FIG. 1).
Consequently, the first electrical connector 2 and the second
electrical connector 3 of the power connector assembly 1 can be
applied to the power supply system or the electrical device that
requires higher electrical power. If the power connector assembly 1
has too many first conducting terminals 21 and too many second
conducting terminals 31, the overall volume of the power connector
assembly 1 is relatively large. As previously described, each of
the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector
of the conventional power connector assembly has at most three
conducting terminals, the conventional power connector assembly can
be applied to specified kinds of power supply systems and specified
kinds of electrical devices. In other words, the applications of
the conventional power connector assembly are restricted. Since the
power connector assembly 1 of the present invention can be applied
to more kinds of power supply system and more kinds of electrical
devices, the applications of the power connector assembly 1 are
more extensive.
[0028] It is noted that the first electrical connector 2 may have
more or less than six first conducting terminals 21 and the second
electrical connector 3 may have more or less than six second
conducting terminals 31. If the first electrical connector 2 has
more than six first conducting terminals 21 and the second
electrical connector 3 has more or less than six second conducting
terminals 31, the withstand current and the withstand temperature
of the first electrical connector 2 and the second electrical
connector 3 should be taken into consideration. Moreover,
corresponding to the six first conducting terminals 21 and the six
second conducting terminals 31, it is preferred that the first
electrical connector 2 has six first hollow tubes 20 and the second
electrical connector 3 has six second hollow tubes 30. More
especially, according to the practical requirements, the number of
the first hollow tubes 20 may be greater than the number of the
first conducting terminals 21, and the number of the second hollow
tubes 30 may be greater than the number of the second conducting
terminals 31.
[0029] Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 5. In some embodiments, one of
the plural first conducting terminals 21 and the corresponding
second conducting terminal 31 are ground terminals. Moreover, the
first conducting terminal 21 served as the ground terminal is
longer than the other first conducting terminals 21, and/or the
second conducting terminal 31 served as the ground terminal is
longer than the other second conducting terminal 31. For example,
the left first conducting terminal 21 as shown in FIG. 3 may be
served as a ground terminal and longer than the other first
conducting terminals 21. Moreover, the right second conducting
terminal 31 as shown in FIG. 5 may be served as a ground terminal
and longer than the other second conducting terminals 31.
Consequently, during the process of assembling the first electrical
connector 2 with the second electrical connector 3, the first
conducting terminal 21 served as the ground terminal and the second
conducting terminal 31 served as the ground terminal are contacted
with each other at the time point earlier than the contact between
any other first conducting terminal 21 and any other second
conducting terminal 31. Under this circumstance, the safety of the
power connector assembly 1 is enhanced.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the
first electrical connector of the power connector assembly of FIG.
3. For preventing the user's finger from being directly contacted
with the first conducting terminal 21 within the first hollow tube
20, a tip of the first conducting terminal 21 is separated from an
entrance of the first hollow tube 20 by a safe distance H. For
example, the safe distance H is the range between 15 mm and 16 mm.
Moreover, if the first conducting terminal 21 is served as the
ground terminal and longer than the other first conducting
terminals 21, the tip of the safe distance H between the ground
terminal and the entrance of the first hollow tube 20 is in the
range between 15 mm and 15.5 mm. Similarly, a tip of the second
conducting terminal 31 is separated from an entrance of the second
hollow tube 30 by a safe distance (not shown).
[0031] Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 5 again. In some other
embodiments, the first hollow tube 20 further comprises a first
coupling part 201 and a second coupling part 202, and the second
hollow tube 30 further comprises a first coupling part 302 and a
second coupling part 303. For example, the first coupling parts 201
and 302 are concave structures, and the second coupling parts 202
and 303 are convex structures. The first coupling part 201 of each
first hollow tube 20 is engaged with the second coupling part 202
of an adjacent first hollow tube 20. Similarly, the first coupling
part 302 of each second hollow tube 30 is engaged with the second
coupling part 303 of an adjacent second hollow tube 30. Due to the
engagement between the first coupling parts 201, 302 and the second
coupling parts 202, 303, the number of the first hollow tubes 20 of
the first electrical connector 2 and the number of the second
hollow tubes 30 of the second electrical connector 3 can be
expanded. In other words, the number of the first conducting
terminals 21 within the first hollow tubes 20 and the number of the
second conducting terminal 31 within the second hollow tubes 30 can
be expanded.
[0032] Please refer to FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the
terminal-clamping part 310 further comprises two elastic structures
3100 and two sustaining structures 3101. The two elastic structures
3100 are located beside and contacted with each other for providing
an elastic force. During the process of assembling the first
electrical connector 2 and the second electrical connector 3, the
two elastic structures 3100 are separated by the flat contacting
part 210 of the first conducting terminal 21 of the first
electrical connector 2, and thus the flat contacting part 210 of
the first conducting terminal 21 is interposed into the space
between the two elastic structures 3100. Under this circumstance,
the flat contacting part 210 of the first conducting terminal 21 is
clamped by the two elastic structures 3100, respectively. Moreover,
during the process of detaching the first electrical connector 2
from the second electrical connector 3, the flat contacting part
210 of the first conducting terminal 21 is withdrawn from the space
between the two elastic structures 3100. In response to the elastic
restoring force of the two elastic structures 3100, the two elastic
structures 3100 are returned to their original positions and
contacted with each other again. Moreover, the two sustaining
structures 3101 are located at the outer sides of the corresponding
elastic structures 3100 and contacted with the corresponding
elastic structures 3100, respectively. Since the sustaining
structures 3101 are sustained against the corresponding elastic
structures 3100, the elastic structures 3100 can clamp the flat
contacting part 210 of the first conducting terminal 21 more
firmly.
[0033] Moreover, in some embodiments, each second hollow tube 30
further comprises a first main body 300 and a second main body 301.
The first main body 300 is perpendicularly protruded from an inner
periphery of an end surface 3010 of the second main body 301. In
other words, the cross-section area of the first main body 300 is
smaller than the cross-section area of the second main body 301.
Moreover, the first main body 300 and the second main body 301 are
in communication with each other. Moreover, the size and the shape
of the first main body 300 match the size and the shape of the
hollow structure of the first hollow tube 20. Consequently, when
the first electrical connector 2 and the second electrical
connector 3 are combined together, the first main body 300 is
accommodated within the hollow structure of the first hollow tube
20, and a portion of the end surface 3010 of the second main body
301 of the second hollow tube 30 is contacted with the
corresponding first hollow tube 20. Moreover, since the end surface
3010 of the second main body 301 is partially contacted with the
first hollow tube 20 when the first electrical connector 2 and the
second electrical connector 3, the possibility of exerting an
improper force to assemble the first electrical connector 2 with
the second electrical connector 3 will be minimized. In other
words, the possibility of damaging the first electrical connector 2
with the second electrical connector 3 will be minimized. Moreover,
an outer surface of the first main body 300 has at least one
beveled structure 3000. The beveled structure 3000 may reduce the
volume of the first main body 300 in order to correspondingly
reduce the volume of the second electrical connector 3. Moreover,
since the size and the shape of the first main body 300 match the
size and the shape of the hollow structure of the first hollow tube
20, the beveled structure 3000 on the outer surface of the first
main body 300 may be used as a foolproof structure. Consequently,
the first main body 300 can be inserted into the hollow structure
of the first hollow tube 20 in a foolproof manner.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector 2
further comprises a first rib 23. Moreover, corresponding to the
first rib 23, plural fixing recesses 203 are formed in some of the
first hollow tubes 20. The first rib 23 is a strip-like structure,
but is not limited thereto. The plural fixing recesses 203 are
aligned with the first rib 23 for accommodating a portion of the
first rib 23. Consequently, the first rib 23 can facilitate the
connection between the plural first hollow tubes 20.
[0035] Please refer to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. In some other embodiments,
the second electrical connector 3 further comprises an external
casing 32 and a second rib 33. The external casing 32 is used for
covering the plural second hollow tubes 30. The second rib 33 is a
strip-like structure, but is not limited thereto. The second rib 33
is disposed within the external casing 32. The two ends of the
second rib 33 are embedded into two openings 320 at two opposite
surfaces of the external casing 32. After the plural second hollow
tubes 30 are covered by the external casing 32, the external casing
32 is positioned by the second rib 33. Similarly, the second rib 33
may be accommodated within plural fixing recesses (not shown) of
some of the second hollow tubes 30 in order to facilitate the
connection between the plural second hollow tubes 30.
[0036] From the above descriptions, the present invention provides
a power connector assembly. The power connector assembly comprises
a first electrical connector with plural first conducting terminals
and a second electrical connector with plural second conducting
terminals. The first conducting terminal has a flat contacting
part. The second conducting terminal has a terminal-clamping part
for clamping the flat contacting part. Consequently, the volumes of
the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector
are reduced when compared with the conventional power connector
assembly. Moreover, since at least two first wires are connected
with each other in parallel, the at least two first conducting
terminals that are electrically connected with the
parallel-connected first wires are connected with each other in
parallel. Consequently, the first conducting terminals and the
second conducting terminals may be made of the material that is
capable of withstanding the lower current while complying with
safety regulations. Under this circumstance, the fabricating cost
of the power connector assembly is reduced. Since the power
connector assembly of the present invention can be applied to the
power supply system or the electrical device that requires higher
electrical power, the applications of the power connector assembly
are more extensive. Moreover, since the first electrical connector
has six first conducting terminals and the second electrical
connector has six second conducting terminals, the applications of
the power connector assembly is enhanced.
[0037] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *